Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – "Penchant"
Introduction
On the March 31, 2025 episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, hosted by Merriam-Webster, listeners were introduced to the word "penchant." The episode delved into the meaning, usage, and etymology of this intriguing noun, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of its application in everyday language.
Definition of "Penchant"
The host began by clearly defining "penchant" for the audience:
"Penchant is a noun. It refers to a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a certain way. It's usually used with the word for."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
This definition sets the foundation for understanding how "penchant" is employed to describe deep-seated preferences or inclinations.
Usage Example
To illustrate the word in context, the host provided a sentence from a Slate article by Jack Hamilton:
"Sly Lives is exceptionally strong in its attention to musical detail. Even more than Questlove's previous cinematic effort, the Academy Award winning Summer of Soul, Sly Lives feels like a film made by a great musician. The film's interviewees offer illuminating ruminations on Sly's vocal arrangements, including his penchant for switching back and forth between unison vocal parts and harmonized ones."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
This example showcases "penchant" in action, highlighting Sly's deliberate and habitual choices in his musical arrangements.
Comparative Terms
The host expanded on "penchant" by comparing it to other similar "p" words in English that express strong preferences:
"English has multiple p words that imply a strong instinct or liking for something, including propensity and proclivity. But to keep things precise, penchant is the proper word for implying a pronounced, persistent taste in a person."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
By distinguishing "penchant" from words like "propensity" and "proclivity," the host emphasized the unique nuance "penchant" brings to describing a steadfast preference.
Examples of "Penchant" in Sentences
To further clarify usage, the host provided additional examples:
- "a penchant for pretty pendants"
- "a predominant predilection for performing particular actions, such as a penchant for petting penguins."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
These examples illustrate how "penchant" can be applied to varied contexts, from light-hearted preferences to more specific behavioral tendencies.
Etymology of "Penchant"
Understanding the origins of a word can deepen appreciation for its meaning. The host explored the etymology of "penchant":
"Penchant traces all the way back to the Latin verb pendere, meaning to weigh, but is more immediately preceded in English by the French word penchant, from the present participle of pencher, meaning to incline."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
This historical perspective reveals how "penchant" evolved to signify an inclination or leaning towards something, metaphorically "weighing" one’s preferences.
Conclusion
The episode concluded with a brief reminder for listeners to visit the Merriam-Webster website for more word-related content:
"Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups."
— Merriam-Webster Host, [02:14]
Notable Quotes
- "Penchant is a noun. It refers to a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a certain way." — Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
- "To keep things precise, penchant is the proper word for implying a pronounced, persistent taste in a person." — Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
- "Penchant traces all the way back to the Latin verb pendere, meaning to weigh." — Merriam-Webster Host, [00:41]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day effectively unpacked the word "penchant," offering listeners not only its definition but also practical examples and historical context. By distinguishing "penchant" from similar terms and providing relatable usage scenarios, the podcast ensured that listeners could confidently incorporate the word into their vocabulary.
